Virginia SOL VS.6.b
The Standard
explaining the development of founding Virginia documents, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights (written by George Mason) and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (written by Thomas Jefferson)
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify each document’s author, purpose, and main ideas. They explain how the documents protected individual rights and later influenced the Bill of Rights.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly connect George Mason with individual rights and Thomas Jefferson with religious freedom. They can explain each document’s lasting effect using clear evidence.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often confuse the Virginia Declaration of Rights with the Declaration of Independence or mix up the authors. Some think religious freedom protects only one religion rather than personal choice.
How to Assess It
- Give students two document titles and ask them to name each author, state one protected freedom, and explain one later influence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs author, document, main idea, and influence cards to match, then have them explain each completed set.
Ask students to write: Why would Virginians want written protections for rights and religious beliefs after colonial rule?
Play a four-corner review using George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, individual rights, and religious freedom as the labeled corners.
Present a town meeting scenario about required church support, then ask students how Jefferson’s document would apply.
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- VS.5.b
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